New Cuban Place by Iroquois

On a recent trip to the ValuMarket, my husband and I noticed a small storefront in Iroquois Plaza. There were two flags hanging in the window but no name. Curious, we ventured inside and found it was a Cuban restaurant. Calling it a restaurant would be a stretch because it had one bar table with two seats, a counter with several seats, and a lot of other mismatching furniture. The menu is short but the daily special list long and written on a white board behind one counter. The gentlemen behind the counter is presumably the owner and is from Havana. We decided to eat and ordered a Cuban Sandwich and a Ropa Vieja. Now, we aren't Cuban Sandwich or Ropa Vieja experts but I will tell you that it is, if not the best in the city, certainly gives the best a run for the money. The only reason I can't proclaim it the best in the city is because I am not sure I have tried it everywhere it is offered.

I hope everyone goes out and gives it a try. However, there are several caveats I want to make people aware of. If you go, you will be the only ones speaking English in the place. If dining atmosphere is at the top of your list, don't go as it is mostly a carry-out place. If you are expecting Havana Rumba, don't go. If you expect non-disposable plates or flatware, don't go. If you are not an adventerous eater, don't go. If you are adventerous, want to try new things, and want inexpensive, authentic, delicious food in generous portions, hurry up and go. This place isn't for everyone, but I love it. For food quality ONLY, I think it is better than Havana Rumba (AND I KNOW WHAT A STATEMENT THAT IS).

I wish I could tell you the name but there isn't one posted and my Spanish isn't good enough to have engaged in a substantive conversation with the gentleman there. A curious thing that I noticed was that in the 30 minutes we were there, about 6 or 7 people came in and bought loaves of bread. I am thinking that they have good bread. I am looking forward to going back.

Elizabeth, you are to be commended for your adventurous spirit to find this place and your helpfulness in pointing it out for the rest of us. I am highly skeptical that the Ropa Vieja could be better than Havana Rumba, but I am more than willing to prove you right. Can't wait to try it.

I need to try that! I so miss Mambo, the Cuban restaurant that used to be next to Valu Market. That space is available again, as the Hispanic church that was there has apparently moved out.

I haven't been here (yet) but I can say from my experience at ethnic eateries like this that the proprietors generally take great pleasure in showing you the best they have to offer. Dakshin and Red Pepper come to mind.

By the way, you didn't mention ValuMarket's own Cuban sandwich in your comparison. I'd rate that one pretty highly.

Elizabeth, you are to be commended for your adventurous spirit to find this place and your helpfulness in pointing it out for the rest of us. I am highly skeptical that the Ropa Vieja could be better than Havana Rumba, but I am more than willing to prove you right. Can't wait to try it.

Like I said, neither of us are Ropa Vieja experts. We have had it at Havana Rumba before and enjoyed it. Maybe the whole adventure gave it more flavor than warranted in my mind. Either way, it is a bit different than the Havana Rumba version but I think it is quite good.

Curious if they have authentic Cuban Coffee. I've tried Havana Rumba's, but it was just expresso

[Robin Garr]

Curious if they have authentic Cuban Coffee. I've tried Havana Rumba's, but it was just expresso

Help me out here ... doesn't the US's (ill-informed, silly, politically motivated) boycott keep authentic Cuban coffee out of the country?

We're gonna try to try it tonight.

My wife and I tried this place on Saturday. We drove around Iroquois Manor three or four times before we found it; it faces 3rd Street. The owner, seeing the confused look on my face, went through the menu and explaned everything to me. I had the Cuban sandwich and she had the Ropa Vieja and we finished with a Napolean-style pastry from the case and a Cuban coffee. All were excellent, and for $19 for everything it couldn't be beat. I ordered the Supremo sandwich and ended up taking half of it home. It was a very enjoyable experience.
I had never had Cuban coffee before but the closest thing I could compare it to would be the Turkish coffee at Pita Delights. It was very strong and very sweet.